A month before plunging into The Nutcracker, City Ballet of San Diego opened its season with another Russian-immersion concert. The breadth and richness of The Russian Masters was impressive, especially in these lean economic times.

The program, on view at the historic Spreckels last weekend, included four dances by Russian composers, all accompanied by the City Ballet Orchestra, which sounded better than ever.

Balanchine’s Tchaikovsky Pas de Deux was a welcome alternative to the omnipresent sugarplum programs coming up next month. Ariana Samuelsson and Gerardo Gil danced it on Saturday night. They were lovely romantic partners and displayed leaps and fouettes, which delighted the cheering crowd. Keep in mind that City Ballet has earned the right to perform the dance, by arrangement with the George Balanchine Trust.

The three other dances on the program were created by company’s resident choreographer, Elizabeth Wistrich, who has an affinity for Russian composers.

Rococo Variations (set to Tchaikovsky’s Variations on a Rococo Theme for Cello and Orchestra, Op. 33) was a challenging group piece in nine parts with mixed results. There were a few wobbles. Too often the women looked like stiff mannequins. The featured cellist struggled with tempo and tone. Trystan Loucado was a standout in the Pas de Six with his long limbs and charming musicality.

The Russian Masters opened with HCIV-OKAT-SOHS, a delicious dance with a very strange title set to Shostakovich’s Piano Concerto #2. The work’s immediate sense of contrast and balance was very satisfying. No storyline, no tutus. Instead, two groups of handsome dancers dressed in simple black and white interpreted very fast rhythms with ease. Samuelsson and Geoff Gonzalez were especially smooth during the Andante section, and they took risks in lifts but maintained a breezy carefree attitude. The dance also featured pianist Nina Flowers who never faltered. The company last performed the work in 2000. Let’s hope we don’t have to wait another 10 years to see it again.

For the finale, fantastic costumes and colorful scenery (courtesy of Stivanello of New York) complemented Stravinsky’s The Firebird. Erica Alvarado added an exotic flavor to the role of the Firebird. This is her first year with the company, and she is a sharp and quick dancer to watch. Gonzalez was a striking Tsar Ivan, the young prince who encounters the evil Kashchei and some creepy monsters. The faceless monsters inserted the right amount of haunting theater. Gonzalez and Alvarado captured mystery and beauty in their duet. It all looked and sounded terrific.

City Ballet’s season continues with The Nutcracker Dec. 9-21, 2011, at the Spreckels Theatre.